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Dual role projector wanted -- Classrroom and HT -- Suggestions?

1354 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by nightfly13, Jun 19, 2008

kenneu

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2008

I am a teacher and I am looking for an inexpensive projector (teachers need to be paid more!) -- under $1K -- that can serve two purposes:

First and foremost, it will be used in the classroom for powerpoint presentations and will need to be bright to overcome the lights. I am guessing that anything under about 2000 lumens probably will require some dimming of the lights which won't work in a classroom environment as students will be working, reading, etc. and will need the lights.

The second purpose would be for presenting films, movies, and for playing video games. This is an occasional and/or weekend activity but would still like to use it none the less.

The first projector I have considered is the Epson Powerlite 77C as it is an XGA native and is an excellent "business" projector @ 2200 lumens. The lamp is CHEAP and is supposedly good for 3000-4000 hours. The issue is the contrast, however. 400:1. How bad are movies and films on a 400:1 screen? This projector is highly regarded and hard to ignore.

I'd like to get an XGA native but I guess I would consider an SVGA native as long as it could scale to the resolution of my laptop CLEANLY. I don't need 720P capability but it might be nice. I definitely don't need 1080p!

So, in order of need:

Low Cost -- Less than $1000

Inexpensive (relatively) replacement lamps (epson, for example, can be found as low as $150-160 and I've seen some NEC lamps around $175)

Primary use (4-6 hours/day) in the classroom

Secondary use (occasional use) movies, video games, home theater

I see there are projectors for 600-700 dollars that have 2000:1 contrast and 2000+ lumens all over the place -- NEC, Sharp, Proxima, and so on, but the choices are overwhelming me.

Lastly, what are the top 3 online vendors that I can shop from and get a great price and reasonably good service (given I'm after the best price possible)?

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reconlabtech

· #2 · Jun 18, 2008

Optoma EP1691 - 1280x768, 2500 lumens, 720p,
Check with any of the forum sponsors found at the top of this page and let them know you checked with us here on the forum to get the best deal.

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imjay

· #3 · Jun 18, 2008

Just my opinion way too much is made of the difference between a "business" projector and a "home theater" projector.

A good place to find detailed reviews is projectorcentral.com.

We have a very good dual role projector so I can speak from experience. It is a Canon 7220 (no longer made). A current model that looks quite similar is the 7365.

Canon apparently had dual use in mind when they manufactured these projectors as they are a high quality and bright classroom/conference projector but the Image Processor also was designed with a powerful Cinema Mode with auto iris and other features very reactive to movie dvd content that causes it to do a very, very good job of Home Theater projection.

Yeah, the native aspect ratio is 4:3 but that is just not that big a deal and the Canon scales widescreen movies very well.

We chose a gray higher contrast screen which is a good match for a LCD business projector and it offsets the brighter projector and supports better contrast performance. One advantage of a brighter machine for classroom is it can be run in a dark home theater room at home always on the lower power or Econo-Mode setting which extends lamp life, lowers operation noise and generates less heat.

Don't be put off by the relatively low Contrast Ratio spec - the image processor and software have the tools to do very passable job of movie dark scene projection.

Overstock.com has a few models and you can always find good deals on XGA business projectors at big box stores like CircuitCity, BestBuy and even Sam's and sometimes Walmart (online) have good prices - can't speak for other business projectors but for sure Canon projectors qualify for dual role consideration.

goodluck

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gwlaw99

· #4 · Jun 18, 2008

I agree with the optoma Optoma EP1691. If you see rainbows and want a faster color wheel then go for the Optoma HD72 which is a little less bright.

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kenneu

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 18, 2008

How about the infocus 2104? It is an XGA unit with a higher contrast ratio. I'll look at the Optoma right now....

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southsound

· #6 · Jun 18, 2008

I would recommend the Sharp XR-30X. We use it for our home theater and are really happy, but I have made lots of presentations with projectors that are nowhere near as bright. Native 1024x768, 2300 ansi lumens, 2200:1 contrast ratio, no nasty filters to clean or pesky dust blobs since it uses a sealed light path, awesome movie mode, bright presentation and game modes. We have over 300 hours on ours since December and have watched 4:3, 16:9, and scope aspect ratio DVD's on our 115" painted screen. I have it mounted in a furniture cabinet so I can assure you that it would work well on a low table for your home use. We use the 480P output on our DVD player and component cables - but it does have DVI-D, S-Video, VGA, and composite input connections if you would rather. You can buy it at a place like CC and add an extended warranty that even covers the bulb.

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kenneu

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 18, 2008

Thanks for the info on the sharp. I'll move that one near the top of the list as I was looking at them and they do seem solid. The replacement lamps are a little more expensive than infocus and epson, however -- about $350 or so?

Here's one I have really become interested in as well:

Infocus IN2104EP The EP ending is for educational pricing and knocks 100 bucks off the price. It is 2500 ansi lumens and has a 2200:1 contrast ratio. It has component inputs in addition to the standards. Lamps are about 160-180 and are rated for 2500/3000. As an "Educator" unit, it comes standard with a 3 year warranty on the unit, 5 on the DLP, and 1 year on the DLP Lamp. All this for under $700...

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reconlabtech

· #8 · Jun 19, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenneu /forum/post/14110683

Thanks for the info on the sharp. I'll move that one near the top of the list as I was looking at them and they do seem solid. The replacement lamps are a little more expensive than infocus and epson, however -- about $350 or so?

Here's one I have really become interested in as well:

Infocus IN2104EP The EP ending is for educational pricing and knocks 100 bucks off the price. It is 2500 ansi lumens and has a 2200:1 contrast ratio. It has component inputs in addition to the standards. Lamps are about 160-180 and are rated for 2500/3000. As an "Educator" unit, it comes standard with a 3 year warranty on the unit, 5 on the DLP, and 1 year on the DLP Lamp. All this for under $700...

No digital inputs, just analog.

Fairly large, not as portable.

Somewhat loud.

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nightfly13

· #9 · Jun 19, 2008

Fwiw I've had and used 3 pjs for both roles and I was shocked how much better an actual home theater pj is for video and even powerpoint looks more vivid. Had svga and then xga business pj but my mits hd1000u is night and day better for video and even better for powerpoint at 1500 lumens. In my present class I use the xga 2000 lumen model and its quite washed out after 800 hours. When I next buy a class pj it will likely be a mits hc1500 since I like to present in hd 720p widescreen since I use macs and keynote I can choose the resolution.

Also I have cheap and tacky light baffles to block lights from falling directly on the screen but it helps yet lights can still shoot down to desks etc.

Extra resolution for both text and pics is great if your software can use it.

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nightfly13

· #10 · Jun 19, 2008

oh and yes teachers should be better paid the mits is now often under $750!

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